The Pesach school holiday, starting on the 25th, will kick off a mad rush on travel agencies. By April 15, thousands of Israelis will have already left for the United States, Turkey, Italy, Greece, Paris, London and other European destinations, as well as Bangkok, Hong Kong and China.

The Pesach holiday starts this year before the tourist season begins in the rest of the world. Packages purchased before the Seder night, therefore, are 50 percent cheaper than those ordered afterward.

The price of a family vacation in Antalya (for a couple with two children, six nights), for example, now stands at $1,300. An identical package ordered for after the Seder will cost almost $2,500. The low dollar exchange rate has also helped families that calculate their budgets in shekels.

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Israeli airlines are adding flights as the holiday approaches. El Al added 22 special flights to North America and 16 to Western Europe. The Israir group has added 20 flights before and after the Seder night.

A survey carried out by the Israeli Travel Agents Association shows that 300,000 Israelis will go abroad this Pesach, the same as the previous year. According to the survey, the strengthening of the Euro and the weakening of the dollar are affecting Israeli vacationing habits.

U.S., Canada over Western Europe

Some 22 percent of those who are planning to travel abroad (but have not decided where yet) have become less disposed to travel to Western European countries, and 13 percent have become more inclined to travel to the United States and Canada.

Most travelers (86 percent) plan a six-day vacation or more; 10 percent plan a four- to five-day vacation. Less than 1 percent will enjoy a short vacation of three days or less. About 7 percent of the public either plans to purchase, or has purchased, its holiday packages over the Internet.

El Al announced that there are still thousands of available seats on its flights during Pesach, however not necessarily for the days of highest demand - shortly after the Seder night.

Demand rises during Pesach for tourist destinations in the Mediterranean, such as the Greek islands. Organized tours are available to destinations such as Sicily and Barcelona. The price for an organized tour to Sicily, including flights, eight days of half-board accommodation and a Seder dinner, starts at $1,300. Also Berlin, which has a rich variety of cultural events, museums and an exciting night life, has become a popular destination; charter-flight packages to the city are available.

Visa-free and European

Because of holiday deals, Paris and London are also attractive destinations. Flights to London on April 1 are available for $400, but by April 3 prices will already rise to $500. Flights to Paris cost similar prices.

Sinai, however, will not be considered an Israeli hot spot this year. Romania, on the other hand, is emerging as the next attractive destination. The Eastern European country, which has yet to join the Euro bloc, does not demand visas from Israelis anymore. The policy change saw prices drop on charter flights to Romania (expected to last until October)